It was like a pigrimage. Ever since I saw the pictures of my Chennai friends' visit to Andaman in the year 2000, a desire has sprouted in my mind. I must one day visit the place. Honestly, even in 2000, I could not dream of flying. Making family vacation trips was still far away from my reach.
The desire has grown bigger by the time I came out of the cinema hall after seeing the movie Kalapani. I could not further stop making a trip to Andaman. I only wanted to see the Cellular Jail in Port Blair. This jail was coomonly known as kalapani during the Brishers ruled us. Of course, this is a place one should visit, if he/she cares for the freedom fighters of our country. This is also the place for ones who dream of a military rule in our country. There were hundreds of people who laid down their lives to secure freedom for us. It is this freedom, they want to hand over to the military in a platter!!
The desire has grown bigger by the time I came out of the cinema hall after seeing the movie Kalapani. I could not further stop making a trip to Andaman. I only wanted to see the Cellular Jail in Port Blair. This jail was coomonly known as kalapani during the Brishers ruled us. Of course, this is a place one should visit, if he/she cares for the freedom fighters of our country. This is also the place for ones who dream of a military rule in our country. There were hundreds of people who laid down their lives to secure freedom for us. It is this freedom, they want to hand over to the military in a platter!!
On 23.05.2010, we boarded the Kingfisher flight to Port Blair in the morning from Chennai. Then it was only KF and AirIndia who were operating the flights from Chennai and Kolkatta. The flight time was nearly two hours. Now that KF is in trouble, it seems Jet is operating flights to Port Blair. There are ship services also from Chennai and Kolkatta. It may take 3 days to reach Port Blair by sea. There are so many people traveling up and down Chennai and Kolkotta by sea. They are mainly traveling for business purposes or visitng their relatives in the main land.
It was the first flight for my kid. Needless to say that he was excited beyond words. But, when the plane started swaying in the turbulant spots, he was really frightened.
The flight landed at Port Blair airport at 8 in the morning.
From the window of the aircraft, we could see the hills and greenery all over. Exqusite was the word I have never used to term a place before. I have reserved it for Andamans. Let me use it now. Port Blair has a single
runway airport.
After alighting from the plane, we just walked down to the exit. We can walk down to exit at Kochi airport too. Those who got down from the ariplane, started hanging around and taking pictures at the back drop of the aircraft. Securitymen had tough time sending away all the passengers to the exit gate.
Surprisingly, this tiny airport had a different name. The airport is named after the great freedom fighter Veer Sarvarkar. It was painful to see that why this airport too was not named after a person from the Nehru family! Sarvakar was the most prominant among the prisoners in the Cellular jail.
As we walked out of the airport, like in any other city in our country, there were a number of people waiting to 'receive' us. They tagged on us, offering hotel rooms, taxis, auto rikshaws and so on. All speak Hindi. The official language in Andaman is Hindi.
Staying in Port Blair does not look to be expensive. If we go by the people at the airport, rooms are available even for Rs350/-. Of course, it will not be difficult to get a decent room at around Rs 1000/-
The inhabitants of the present day Andaman Islands is the expacts from the main land. Most of them are the decendants of the exiled freedom fighters and the ones who came to 'torture' them on behalf their masters from England. So, it is a mini India that is living in Andaman Islands. Nicobar is still occuppied by the native advasis. Entrance to tourists and outsiders is restricted to save the identity of the natural inhabitants there.
We had a taxi waiting at the airport, thanks to our friend Ratisbhai. The taxi took us to the PWD guest house. It was another helping hand extended by Bhai. The guest house is for the visiting government employees from different part of the country for official and tour purposes. He managed one room for us. The daily rent was just Rs 100/- and food was served in the canteen at a price.
Immediately after checking in, we wasted no time. The mission needs to be accomplished. The mind was brimming with excitement. With all its thrills of a dream come true, we dashed off the Cellular Jail.
The flight landed at Port Blair airport at 8 in the morning.
From the window of the aircraft, we could see the hills and greenery all over. Exqusite was the word I have never used to term a place before. I have reserved it for Andamans. Let me use it now. Port Blair has a single runway airport.
After alighting from the plane, we just walked down to the exit. We can walk down to exit at Kochi airport too. Those who got down from the ariplane, started hanging around and taking pictures at the back drop of the aircraft. Securitymen had tough time sending away all the passengers to the exit gate. 
Surprisingly, this tiny airport had a different name. The airport is named after the great freedom fighter Veer Sarvarkar. It was painful to see that why this airport too was not named after a person from the Nehru family! Sarvakar was the most prominant among the prisoners in the Cellular jail. As we walked out of the airport, like in any other city in our country, there were a number of people waiting to 'receive' us. They tagged on us, offering hotel rooms, taxis, auto rikshaws and so on. All speak Hindi. The official language in Andaman is Hindi.
Staying in Port Blair does not look to be expensive. If we go by the people at the airport, rooms are available even for Rs350/-. Of course, it will not be difficult to get a decent room at around Rs 1000/-
The inhabitants of the present day Andaman Islands is the expacts from the main land. Most of them are the decendants of the exiled freedom fighters and the ones who came to 'torture' them on behalf their masters from England. So, it is a mini India that is living in Andaman Islands. Nicobar is still occuppied by the native advasis. Entrance to tourists and outsiders is restricted to save the identity of the natural inhabitants there.
We had a taxi waiting at the airport, thanks to our friend Ratisbhai. The taxi took us to the PWD guest house. It was another helping hand extended by Bhai. The guest house is for the visiting government employees from different part of the country for official and tour purposes. He managed one room for us. The daily rent was just Rs 100/- and food was served in the canteen at a price.
Immediately after checking in, we wasted no time. The mission needs to be accomplished. The mind was brimming with excitement. With all its thrills of a dream come true, we dashed off the Cellular Jail.
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